Alzheimer’s fundraising effort lauded at Oak Ridge lunch

Wednesday

Jan 9, 2013 at 6:47 PMJan 9, 2013 at 6:52 PM

Janice Wade-Whitehead, executive director of Alzheimer’s Tennessee Inc., reminded attendees of a recent Oak Ridge luncheon that the regional organization will soon be celebrating three decades of service.

by Darrell Richardson/Staff

Janice Wade-Whitehead, executive director of Alzheimer’s Tennessee Inc., reminded attendees of a recent Oak Ridge luncheon that the regional organization will soon be celebrating three decades of service.

“This year has certainly been amazing,” stated Wade-Whitehead.

The well-attended luncheon was held at the Riverside Grille to honor various participants of the 2012 Five-County

Alzheimer’s Tennessee Walk, which was held at AK Bissell Park in October. The counties represented at the annual event include Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane and Scott.

“Despite a dreary start to the day,” Wade-Whitehead said the Walk had 33 teams and numerous individual walkers for a total of 339 registered participants. “All together,” she said, “Five-County walkers and sponsors raised $69,156.”

Wade-Whitehead added that “because of your efforts, the money raised will benefit Tennessee individuals and families battling this devastating disease.”

“We invited each of you here today to say, ‘Thank you,’” stated Janet Wood, special projects and public relations coordinator for Alzheimer’s Tennessee Inc., and former advertising director of The Oak Ridger. “Thank you for your drive and determination to raise awareness and further research … thank you for giving and finding ways to help others give … thank you for leading the way one step at a time.

“Some of you have shared creative events that helped in your fundraising efforts; everything from motorcycle rides to covered-dish dinners, from ‘jailing’ your company’s upper management and requiring ‘bail’ for their release to bake sales, auctions, flea markets, Angel trees and more.”

Wood assured that “with every call you made, with every email sent and with every fundraiser hosted — you showed the Five-County area your dedication and determination to raising funds that will go a long way toward fighting this disease and supporting those living with it every day.”

Associate Director of Development Debbie Kinnard recognized the 33 corporate and media sponsors who helped raise $23,750 in what Wade-Whitehead earlier recognized as a challenging economy for the third year in a row. “Despite tough times,” Kinnard said, “these corporate partners donated to the cause.

“We appreciate that they realize this support is an investment in everyone’s future.”

Media sponsors included The Oak Ridger, WBIR-TV, The Roane Reader and WECO, as well as WYSH and Merle 96.7.

Youth prizes went to the Oak Ridge High School Key Club (team captain Pamela Wyatt) for Top Youth Team and Morgan Beard of The Alz-Stars Team for Top Youth Individual — who raised $1,264 and received a Kyros Touchscreen Internet Tablet with wi-fi compliments of Home Helpers.

Numerous individuals also were recognized for their efforts, including top fundraisers Michelle Craft of The Erb Agency All-Stars Team, who raised $1,370; Kathy Carney of Team UT-Battelle/ORNL, who raised $1,491; Gail Lewis, also of UT-Battelle/ORNL, who raised $1,752; and June Nelson of Kellytown Exercisers Team, who raised $6,886.

“There are more than 120,000 Tennesseans living with Alzheimer’s and we thank all of you for your compassion — and a special thanks to those of you who live with this disease at home or at work and don’t hear the words ‘thank you’ enough,” Payne said. “Please know each and ever day that Alzheimer’s Tennessee Inc. is here for you.”

For more information, visit www.alztennessee.org online or call (865) 544-6288.